Elder Hillrie Murphy was born on July 5, 1942 to Amos and Olivia Murphy in Lucedale, Mississippi.  He was reared in Pascagoula, Mississippi before relocating to Los Angeles, California in 1959.  He graduated from Manual Arts High School in 1961.

After recognizing his call to the ministry as early as age four, Elder Murphy responded to the call at a young age and began preaching as a teenager.  In 1964, he was ordained as an Elder in the Church of God in Christ. 

In March, 1970, Elder Murphy founded the St. Hillrie Church of God in Christ, where he currently serves as pastor.  To further the spreading of the gospel, a second worship location was purchased in the city of Lancaster, California, in 1998; St. Hillrie Lancaster.  The Lord is blessing mightily in Los Angeles and Lancaster.  In addition, St. Hillrie acquired an additional location in Los Angeles, which is currently used as the Church Annex.  In the future, this facility will be used as a Community Youth Center, which will provide training for the youth of Los Angeles.

In addition to his pastorate, Elder Murphy serves as the Jurisdictional Secretary of the Southwest Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of California, under the leadership of Bishop B. R. Benbow. 

Elder Murphy is a learned man.  He received an Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Studies from Los Angeles Harbor College and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Pepperdine University.  In an effort to further his education, Elder Murphy studied at Reed College, where he was awarded a Diploma and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology.  He also received a Masters of Divinity degree from Western Theological Seminary and a Doctorate of Philosophy degree from Union University.

Elder Murphy’s ministry is not limited to Judea and Samaria but has extended to the outermost parts of the world.  His crusade journey has taken him to various countries, including India, Australia, Israel, England, and Africa.  In addition, he travels to Jamaica frequently to provide financial support, resources and supplies to aid in the furtherance of the gospel.

Elder Murphy is the author of the Membership Guide of the St Hillrie Church of God in Christ.  The Guide, published in 1981, serves to acquaint new members with the doctrine, ordinances, rules and regulations of the Church of God in Christ.

Elder Murphy has been happily married to Josephine Murphy for 38 years.  They are the proud parents of four children: Jeqwan, Kelvin, Tanjanna and Dainion; and the grandparents of four: DeMarcus, Qwannita, Christopher and Branden.